Medical Assistant Salary in West Virginia: $39,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across West Virginia's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $39,313/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because West Virginia sits at BEA RPP 86.5 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,449 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Martinsburg ($42,438), Charleston ($38,190), Huntington ($37,500).
As of 2026, medical assistant salaries in West Virginia average a median of $39,312, which is significantly below the national median of $47,961, reflecting an -18.0% difference. The highest paying city in the state is Martinsburg, where salaries reach $44,547, contrasted with Clarksburg's lower end at $36,451, creating a wage gap of $8,096. This difference can be attributed to various factors such as the concentration of healthcare facilities, demand for medical services, and local economic conditions. In West Virginia, specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws can affect salary ranges. The state has seen a projected annual growth rate of 4.97%, indicating a steady demand for medical assistants driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. As of 2026, there are a total of 3,749 medical assistants employed across the state, with notable salaries in cities like Charleston at $40,088, Huntington at $39,364, Weirton at $39,322, and Morgantown at $39,301. This job market strength suggests opportunities for advancement and stability within the profession, making it a viable career path in West Virginia.
West Virginia Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in West Virginia: $31,367 (lowest entry-level) to $53,228 (highest top earner)
West Virginia vs National Average
West Virginia medical assistants earn 18.03% less than the national median ($-8,648/year difference).
West Virginia Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in West Virginia range from $32,891 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $47,230 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $39,313. The West Virginia median is $8,648 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $18.90/hr. Approximately 3,749 medical assistants are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,956
2025 BLS Actual
$37,451
2026 Current Est.
$39,313
2019–2027 Growth
+42.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in West Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,956 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,724 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,266 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,451 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,267 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Virginia metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 29.3% from $28,956 (2019) to $37,451 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,267 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,311 (42.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Virginia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in West Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in West Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clarksburg | $36,451 |
| Fairmont | $36,572 |
| South Charleston | $37,647 |
| Beckley | $37,989 |
| Wheeling | $38,765 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in West Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these West Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martinsburg | $44,547 | 86.5 | $51,499 |
| Charleston | $40,088 | 88.717 | $45,186 |
| Parkersburg | $39,028 | 87.066 | $44,826 |
| Huntington | $39,364 | 88.422 | $44,518 |
| Weirton | $39,322 | 89.024 | $44,170 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $32,891 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $39,313 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $47,230 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across West Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in West Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsburg | $44,547 |
| 2 | Charleston | $40,088 |
| 3 | Huntington | $39,364 |
| 4 | Weirton | $39,322 |
| 5 | Morgantown | $39,301 |
| 6 | Parkersburg | $39,028 |
| 7 | Wheeling | $38,765 |
| 8 | Beckley | $37,989 |
| 9 | South Charleston | $37,647 |
| 10 | Fairmont | $36,572 |
| 11 | Clarksburg | $36,451 |
More West Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in West Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in West Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in West Virginia?
How does West Virginia medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in West Virginia?
How many medical assistants are employed in West Virginia?
Which West Virginia city offers the best value for medical assistants?
Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across West Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov